Leading by example

Jori Jasper offered two promises in her pitch to University of Hawaii softball coach Bob Coolen for a shot to join the Rainbow Wahine as a walk-on. "I told him from the get-go I’d work super hard and be involved," Jasper said. "I don’t know if he really believed how much I’d be involved."

Jasper delivered on both counts over the next four years. Her energy and work ethic secured her a place on the Rainbow Wahine roster while she completed a triple major in just 31⁄2 years and asserted herself as an advocate for student-athletes within the program, athletic department and conference.

Her blend of experiences and achievements cultivated a perspective she plans on sharing on a national level later this month as one of 31 delegates to the NCAA’s Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

"I definitely want to make a difference, not just coast through, but definitely have a voice," Jasper said. "We are the farthest university, so I think it’s great to have someone represent Hawaii and give that different perspective."

Jasper, who serves as UH’s committee chair, was selected to represent the Big West Conference for a two-year term and will participate in the national meetings set for July 24-26 in Indianapolis. The national committee also meets in November, and she’ll attend the NCAA Convention in January. The position offers access to high-ranking NCAA officials —including president Mark Emmert — to offer insights and recommendations on rules and policies that affect student-athletes.

"The main thing is she can take forward the experiences and concerns of our student-athletes," UH athletic director Ben Jay said. "She’s well experienced and well versed in being a leader. … With her business background, she brings a lot to the table, and having that voice at the national level is going to be terrific."

Jasper has taken particular interest in helping to improve graduation rates among student-athletes, having taken advantage of summer school opportunities to accelerate her own progress through UH’s undergraduate programs.

Upon enrolling at UH in 2009, she embarked on a carefully crafted plan to graduate early, and completed degrees in entrepreneurship, marketing and international business last December while earning multiple honors as one of the Shidler School of Business’ top scholars.

She began pursuit of a master’s degree in sociology in the spring while the softball team rolled to the Big West championship. Her "offseason" includes an internship in the legal department at First Hawaiian Bank and attending summer school while preparing for her senior season in conditioning and hitting sessions.

Early in the summer, she’d hustle to Manoa for a class during her lunch break at the bank before returning downtown to complete her work shift.

Along with her stint on the SAAC national committee, Jasper’s plans include applying to law school for 2014, with a career in athletic administration — perhaps at UH — among her long-term aspirations.

"Those are big dreams, but I just think it involves all my passions," Jasper said.

Softball has remained high on that list, even though playing time has come sparingly. Jasper’s enthusiasm for the game hasn’t wavered and she’ll be counted on for leadership this season as the team’s lone fifth-year senior.

"First one to come to practice, last one to leave. First one to pick up equipment, first one to get things in order — that’s Jori," Coolen said. "She’s going to be a great leader this year for us. Usually walk-ons don’t even come close to exerting their presence, but Jori will."

"I really take pride in that I’ve been here the whole time … just keeping a positive attitude," said Jasper, Kauai’s starting first baseman on the Red Raiders’ 2009 Division II state championship team.

"I’m really lucky to be going into my fifth year as a walk-on. I really appreciate the opportunity Coach Bob has given me."

A ball Jasper launched out of Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium during an exhibition last fall now has a featured place at JJ’s Broiler. It is the Lihue restaurant her family runs and where her entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen took shape.

Her interest in on-campus affairs was influenced by her older brother, Jett, a former UH football player who also served as UH’s SAAC chair.

"He’s telling me to enjoy the time I have in athletics because you only really have a short time, " Jori said. "You only have five years, so I really wanted to get involved in everything I could.

"Coach Bob always talks about having a role on the team and I think that’s one of my roles, being that SAAC rep, being the voice for the softball team and now the voice for the athletic program and the Big West."